Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A realization, at the station

Staring at the chaos and tracks, alternatively, at the station, boredom had crept in quite well. I got bored looking at people running as fast as their legs could carry them, so that they don't miss their train. I got bored smiling at the babies, who smiled in return( a reaction I find only in small children). I guess even they got bored, because after some time they too turned their faces, probably to smile at someone a lot more beautiful. Or maybe not. Ahhh forget it. But, my eyes started staring at something that landed in front of me. It was staring at me, in return, with black round eyes, and a black body. A crow. A one legged crow.

It hopped from where it had landed to where I was sitting. Only because someone had thrown a piece of chips, by mistake, on the platform. It hopped and hopped, picked the chips piece and enjoyed its taste. Until it set eyes on another crumb of food, to which it hopped and grabbed it. The crow next to it, with two legs, could have been a bit more faster, as it stared at the one-legged crow munch on the food crumb with satisfaction. And then, it flew away. Probably to a better place with a lot more food to catch hold of. When I turned around to see if there were any other sights fascinating enough, I realized that almost every person around the cro was staring at it. In fact one lady also whispered to the lady next to her, "Athinu parakan puthimutaville?"(Won't it be difficult for it to fly). But it flew, despite the wide eyes from its surroundings, out shone itself by grabbing the last crumb, before the more physically able-d crow.

Imagine yourself in that condition, with a broken leg or hand.

I know several people, with injuries, who hesitate to go out and be a part of the crowd, just because he/she are scared people will stare. Imagine what would happen to this crow if it had thought the same. It had no other go but to roam around with that 'disability', so it did so. It overlooked the whisperings and staring from the members of his own species, and went on with life. It really got me thinking, how many of us have the courage to fight the world, in spite of all the negative feedbacks, discouragements and what not.

We definitely have a lot to learn from animals and nature. According to me, they live a more dignified life than us, social animals!

6 comments:

I never say it but my mom has only one hand, she doesn't have left hand since birth. She is very beautiful, does everything except for stitching and she manages her farm after her retirement. I'm so proud of her, I think whosoever knows her, respects her. What I am today is because of my mother. Disability should never weaken your courage to live...Nice article.

Animals are a lot more adaptive than humans are. I don't think they have the option of wallowing in self-pity. They need to hunt for their own food and survive. You're right, we really can take a lesson or two from them. :)

@Saru Di: Truly a hero in herself. Hats off to your mother who has carried herself so well, and for raising such a wonderful daughter and poet like you. I am sure you would be very proud of her. Your comment brought goosebumps!

@Rahul: Thank you very much. Means a lot :)

@Spaceman Spiff: If they waste their time remembering old stuff and pitying on whatever wrong they have done, they would probably not be alive. Thank you very much :)